NFL 2012 Predictions for Week 13!

Week 13 of the NFL Season kicks off tomorrow night, Thursday November 29th, in Atlanta. There are some big games on tap for this week so let's not waste anytime getting right to my picks:

Thursday Night Football

New Orleans Saints at the Atlanta Falcons

The New Orleans Saints are 5-6 on the year, but have won 3 of their last 4, including a win over Atlanta by the score of 31-27 on November 11th. The Saints can put up big points and have scored 28 points per game this year. Unfortunately, their defense has given up 27.6 points per game. The Atlanta Falcons on the other hand are 10-1 with their only loss coming to the Saints in New Orleans. The Falcon offense puts up 26.7 yards per game and their defense only allows 19.6. The Falcons are favored by 3 at home. These two teams just play each other tough as rivals in the NFC South. The Falcons have been getting by on some close wins as of late, but I still like them in this game. Falcons win by 5.

Sunday Afternoon Football

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Denver Broncos

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 6-5 and have struggled to be consistent. They lost to the Atlanta Falcons last week 24-23. They have won 4 of their last 5 games, but the competition has been weak. Their offense has put up 28.2 points per game. Their defense has allowed 23.1. They do have the best rushing defense in the league only giving up 81.5 yards per game. The Denver Broncos are 8-3 and beat the helpless Chiefs last week 17-9. The Broncos have scored 28.9 per game and their defense has given up 20.1. The Broncos lead the AFC West Division. The Broncos are favored by 7 at home. I like the Broncos by 10.

Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-5 this season and lost to the Browns last week 20-14. It is unsure as of this writing if Big Ben will be back on the field for the Steelers on Sunday. The Steelers offense has only put up 21 points per game. Their defense has given up 19.1. The problem in Pittsburgh is not the defense which is the best in the league overall. The problem is their offense, which struggles without their elite QB. The Baltimore Ravens are 9-2 and are 3 games in front of the Steelers in the AFC North. The Ravens squeezed by the Chargers 16-13 last week. The Ravens offense has put up 25.7 points per game, but their defense gives up 19.9 and is not the dominant defense it once was. The Steelers are in a must win situation. Steelers will win by 7.

Monday Night Football

New York Giants at the Washington Redskins

This is a big rivarly game in the NFC East. The New York Giants are 7-4 and lead the division. They exploded all over the Green Bay Packers last week 38-10. Their offense has managed 27.7 points per game, but their once steady defense has given up 20.5. The Washington Redskins are 5-6 in the same division. They beat the Dallas Cowboys last week on Thanksgiving Day 38-31. The Redskins have won 2 in a row and both were division rivals. Their offense puts up 26.8 points per game, but their defense has struggled allowing 25.9. They are 31st in passing yards allowed with 301.4. The Giants are favored by 3 here on the road. This is going to be a good game. You just never know which Giant team will show up. I like the Giants in this one by 9.

I also like the:

Bears over the Seahawks
Packers over the Vikings
49ers over the Rams
Jets over the Cardinals
Panthers over the Chiefs
Lions over the Colts
Jaguars over the Bills
Patriots over the Dolphins
Texans over the Titans
Raiders over the Browns
Bengals over the Chargers

These are picks you can bet on. Until we meet again, may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport